Greetings and blessings to you from Mundelein Seminary!
I was born and raised in a Northern Virginia suburb of Washington, DC, the youngest of four.
I was baptized Methodist and attended church every Sunday because mom sang in the choir.
My grandmother lived with us and spoiled me well. Her example of daily prayer and reading Scripture greatly influenced and inspired me, and continues with me still.
Prior to Seminary, I had careers in Mortgage Finance and Real Estate Property Rehab and Management.
After High School, I moved to Los Angeles, California, then lived for a year in Zacatecas, Mexico, becoming fluent in Spanish and, though I had stopped attending church for years, was drawn to the Catholic Church.
Then, I had a job transfer to Chicago and started attending mass with friends. Out of simple curiosity to understand more about the Catholic Church, I attended RCIA. I continued the journey and was received into the Catholic Church at a beautiful Easter Vigil. From there, there has been no looking back…
My discernment was a gradual growth in the faith and discovering the possibility of a vocation to the Priesthood. During time in Eucharistic Adoration at my parish, I started asking God questions about discernment. Dedication to discernment and prayer, Seminary studies and formation, and internships as a hospital chaplain and at Parishes, have all helped to affirm and confirm the vocation.
My journey has included the parishes of St. Philomena, St. Genevieve, St. Viator and St. Bartholomew before Seminary. During Seminary I have been assigned to Most Blessed Trinity (Waukegan), Transfiguration (Wauconda), St. Joseph (Libertyville), St. Gall (Southside), and then finally the Shrine of Guadalupe (Des Plaines) for the last three years.
All these have been a wonderful opportunity to experience a wide range of parishes and a wonderful blessing to experience the beauty of our Catholic family, all connected and interconnected – one large family in our diversity and in our unity.
There have many amazing Priests, religious, and faithful friends and family, who were instrumental in my discernment and following the call to this vocation. Their example, faith, and encouragement inspired me, and continue to sustain me and this vocation.
Let us remember each other in prayer.
May God bless and protect you and yours, always.